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Today's test drives :)

HI, glad you are getting your hands on the metal now!

Sill repairs are something that causes animated discusion on the Forum, yes full replacement of sills is £1,000/side, but some places will do a fantastic repair for much less. I had my Sills done at TWG in Peterborough last summer, which had also spread to my NSR wing all-in for £600 and looks/seems a very good repair.

Be careful of Turbos, surfing the boost wave gets very addictive!
 
Interesting comments, Pixie.

I changed from Lux to S2 about 18 months ago. I'm still not sure I did the right thing in many ways. To me it's much more of a GT than the Lux, I still maintain it's over-tyred and just not as "chuckable" as the Lux was. Far better if you do a lot of miles, or it's a daily driver, but as my weekend fun car it's almost not as much fun.

It would be a very hard decision if I had to replace it. I think I'd probably go back to a really good Lux. To me, the power means nothing: Despite being down on power by 200-250 BHP, VJ always kept up with Wuf and Beaky on runs because there's a limit to how fast you can actually drive, at least responsibly, inf the UK. Possibly the best would be a nice little Lux with some weight taken out. [8D]

Back to the OP, you can see the confusion between the Series 1, Series 2, 944 Super and 944 Super 2! The easiest way is to say early-dash or late-dash, or square-dash or oval-dash.

If you're considering an early Lux, try a 924S. Just to really confuse things, this isn't a 16V car like the 944S, but a 924 shell with a 944 Lux 8V engine in it. It's slimmer and lighter, but otherwise identical to the early-dash 944 Lux. Cheaper still, and the only difference is in the look. If you aren't worrried about the flared wings on a 944 it's a good introduction to the transaxle cars.


 
This is a heart warming and pleasant thread to read. I'm always in the camp where there is love for the square dash cars. It was my first introduction into 944's, my first introduction into Porsche and I still honestly believe that 'everything considered' the early dash car is the best 'sports car' in the range.

If you jump straight out of one into the other, the early cars with their simpler sliding calipers, stronger body, more characterful dash design and lighter kerb weight are a much nicer car to sit in and drive than the heavier, duller styled, GT feeling later cars.

They skip on the road more, feel more balanced, turn sharper and brake more convincingly (from anything under 100mph). Add to that the lower cost and easier maintenance and the early car is a solid choice.

However if you are a power fiend like myself and the thought of your average 1.9tdi estate car pulling away from you when you try to overtake bothers you (it shouldn't I know.. but it does me) the more modern turbo has vastly superior limits and the ability to upset a very wide range of modern machinery for very little extra outlay and in a car that is 90% as good as the pre '84 lux as a sports car and a lot better at munching miles as a long distance cruiser.

A part of me will always long for another early dash car but I doubt I will ever actually buy one.
 
I agree with Paul's comments above, my 944S was a lot more nimble and light on its feet than the 944T and 944S2 cars that I've since owned, which made it a fun car to drive. It also had the much derided lack of torque. But this just made the power step at 4K rpm even more pronounced. Of course the most common argument against the S is that it has little more power than a Lux but all of the same risk factors as an S2, i.e. cam chain, tensioner, more valves, etc.

I loved the turbo with its laugh-out-loud power delivery and hugely powerful brakes. It was also very reliable.

My current S2 is a bit of a disappointment by comparison. I think I may be alone in this opinion. The S2 engine is almost boringly efficient; it just has torque everywhere. It doesn't have the 'exciting' power delivery of the turbo or the agility of the Lux/S. Sorry, shoot me now [:(][&:]

As for sills, rather than full replacement a bodyshop would be able to strip down, patch and re-apply stonechip paint for far less. Similarly, front wing bottoms can be fabricated quite cost effectively.

Good luck in your search.
 
Yes, it definitely could be worth a look at a late 924S if you liked the square dash 944 Lux. I occasionally hanker after one of those to make a nice pair with the Turbo.
 
Thanks for all the advice, it's really useful. I had thought about 924S but the wide body of the 944 really does it for me [;)]

I'm pretty certain I'm going to go square dash (but wont be surprised if I go Turbo!) Now if Porsche had done a square dash Turbo I would have all my prayers answered [:)]
 
build one!!!! early car with turbo running gear. that would be something. I still have a notion of doing a 924 with late 944 turbo running gear,the ultimate wolf in sheeps clothing.
 
ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

Interesting comments, Pixie.

I changed from Lux to S2 about 18 months ago. I'm still not sure I did the right thing in many ways. To me it's much more of a GT than the Lux, I still maintain it's over-tyred and just not as "chuckable" as the Lux was. Far better if you do a lot of miles, or it's a daily driver, but as my weekend fun car it's almost not as much fun.

It would be a very hard decision if I had to replace it. I think I'd probably go back to a really good Lux. To me, the power means nothing: Despite being down on power by 200-250 BHP, VJ always kept up with Wuf and Beaky on runs because there's a limit to how fast you can actually drive, at least responsibly, inf the UK. Possibly the best would be a nice little Lux with some weight taken out. [8D]

Back to the OP, you can see the confusion between the Series 1, Series 2, 944 Super and 944 Super 2! The easiest way is to say early-dash or late-dash, or square-dash or oval-dash.

If you're considering an early Lux, try a 924S. Just to really confuse things, this isn't a 16V car like the 944S, but a 924 shell with a 944 Lux 8V engine in it. It's slimmer and lighter, but otherwise identical to the early-dash 944 Lux. Cheaper still, and the only difference is in the look. If you aren't worrried about the flared wings on a 944 it's a good introduction to the transaxle cars.
Click to expand...

Paul - was it an early dash LUX you had before your S2?

My "nice little LUX" :) has some weight taken out, sort of, no rear seats, Fuchs (they're rather light) and no rear wiper (I have the parts though!) I've just ordered a black leather interior and the rear seats will be going back in though.

I do a lot of miles and it's a daily, I pick up the keys everyday over the gold oval dash ... depends on what you enjoy driving everyday I suppose? After driving an MG Midget everyday for a while anything seems like a "daily" car ... [:D]
 
ORIGINAL: NeilW

I agree with Paul's comments above, my 944S was a lot more nimble and light on its feet than the 944T and 944S2 cars that I've since owned, which made it a fun car to drive. It also had the much derided lack of torque. But this just made the power step at 4K rpm even more pronounced. Of course the most common argument against the S is that it has little more power than a Lux but all of the same risk factors as an S2, i.e. cam chain, tensioner, more valves, etc.

I loved the turbo with its laugh-out-loud power delivery and hugely powerful brakes. It was also very reliable.

My current S2 is a bit of a disappointment by comparison. I think I may be alone in this opinion. The S2 engine is almost boringly efficient; it just has torque everywhere. It doesn't have the 'exciting' power delivery of the turbo or the agility of the Lux/S. Sorry, shoot me now [:(][&:]

As for sills, rather than full replacement a bodyshop would be able to strip down, patch and re-apply stonechip paint for far less. Similarly, front wing bottoms can be fabricated quite cost effectively.

Good luck in your search.
Click to expand...

Some even better news - early dash LUXes feel much more agile than oval dash ones. :) (I've owned 3 944s and driven numerous more!)

Not spent much time around an S2 - just doesn't appeal to me, sorry [&:]! Looks too new for me and drives a bit too new too!!
 
ORIGINAL: colin944

build one!!!! early car with turbo running gear. that would be something. I still have a notion of doing a 924 with late 944 turbo running gear,the ultimate wolf in sheeps clothing.
Click to expand...

There is at least one 924 shell out there with a complete set of 968CS running gear under it.
 

ORIGINAL: Hairyarse

I know what you mean Pixie. I really like the turbo, it's performance and stopping power for the money is immense! However when I drove the square dash (not an S1! [:D]) this morning it reminded me of my MK1 Golf, just pure car, nothing electronic - felt like I was driving something again, which is why I'm hankering for one still! I love the square dash too. I had the other week seen a lovely black model on tinternet, thought it was well worth a look and then I realised it looked familiar, it was the one you bought Pixie!! Oh well, I'll keep looking ;)
Click to expand...

Have a look at the 924S as well - same mechanicals / interior as an early 944 (well pretty similar) but with a nicer body (OK I'm biased..) My 924S's were much nicer drives than my turbo for back roads & general pottering about - the Turbo was a better m-way car and much faster track car.
 

ORIGINAL: Hairyarse

Now if Porsche had done a square dash Turbo I would have all my prayers answered [:)]
Click to expand...

I might be remembering this wrong, but I'm pretty sure there is one (maybe a couple more) early Turbo prototypes that were square dash. LHD only, if I remember the pics correctly
 
Where is it I want it. A 924 with full 968 cs running gear yeh baby bring it on. The only reason I have a 944 is because I could not afford a 924 Carrera Gt as that or a GTS is my ulimate car.Infact a 924 with full 968cs running gear and a really good Carrera Gt body kit would be heaven to me.
 
i am currently converting a red 924S into a CGT replica, currently using 1988 944 running gear with fuchs but on the look out fir 968 running gear.

I recently drove my first 83 non sunroof guards red square dash and it made me smile even after 7 years of post 85 lux, S and S2 ownership.

Contemplating selling my 993 this year and buying a minter early 944 for the trip to the bodyshop etc.

Good luck with your search
 
ORIGINAL: colin944

Where is it I want it. A 924 with full 968 cs running gear yeh baby bring it on. The only reason I have a 944 is because I could not afford a 924 Carrera Gt as that or a GTS is my ulimate car.Infact a 924 with full 968cs running gear and a really good Carrera Gt body kit would be heaven to me.
Click to expand...

It's in the for sale section on here... and yes, it is lovely. [:)]
 
Well I have to say my definition of the word 'immaculate' is very different to someone elses! I went to look at the Red '83 944 today at a dealers - pricey but looked from the photos and described as mint. On first arrival (in the dark, but lit forecourt) it looked very red and shiny, but very quickly it was clear this was one to walk away from. Big scratch on rear quarter, bubbles of rust in lots of places, esp. under one side repeater. Strangely one sill had been repaired quite well (although I reckon still rust inside) the other side was rotten. Reckon had been resprayed too - generally ok but pin holes in places.

I think the dealer maybe did have no idea about the sills, he was asking our (well Robs!) advice about what it's worth and what he should do with it, that said it was obviously not immaculate!! Advertised for £3995, would have been worth £1-1.5k tops I reckon with the work needing doing

It's a shame as mechanically looked promising and interior was pretty tidy. Thanks to Rob Wright again for the the help [;)]

Oh well, my search for a square dash continues!


 
If I had a pocket full of cash I may have left the car on blocks and left with the teledials though mate. They were mint!!!!
 
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